Live a Sober Life Again - Call Now for Treatment Options.

For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the Addictionblog.org helpline is a private and convenient solution.

Calls to any general helpline (non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) for your visit will be answered by American Addiction Centers (AAC).

Caring admissions consultants are standing by 24/7 to discuss your treatment options. These representatives work solely for AAC and will discuss whether an AAC facility may be an option for you.
Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Neither Addictionblog.org nor AAC receives any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose.
For more information on AAC’s commitment to ethical marketing and treatment practices, or to learn more about how to select a treatment provider, visit our About Us page.
If you wish to explore additional treatment options or connect with a specific rehab center, you can browse top-rated listings, visit our homepage and browse by state, or visit SAMHSA.

You're leaving Addictionblog.org and will be automatically redirected to Recovery.org.

What is cocaine used for?

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug that speeds up your whole body. You may feel full of energy, happy, and excited when using cocaine. But after cocaine’s duration of action wears off, your mood can change. You can become angry, nervous, and afraid that someone’s out to get you.

So what exactly is in cocaine? What are its primary uses? Does cocaine work for everyone? We explore cocaine`s former medical use, its side effects, misuse and addiction here. Then, we invite your questions about cocaine at the end.

What is cocaine?

Cocaine is a psychoactive substance made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America. It is processed with a blend of other chemicals to form a white powder known as cocaine hydrochloride. Cocaine is usually a white to light brown crystalline powder, shiny rather than dull in appearance. In the early 1900s, purified cocaine was the main active ingredient in most of the tonics and elixirs that were developed to treat a wide variety of illnesses. But since then, cocaine chemistry and use has been limited; cocaine is known to be an addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain and has a high potential for abuse.

What are the medical uses of cocaine?

Over the years, cocaine became a popular medicine and it was credited for curing a wide variety of diseases and illnesses. However, reports soon started to appear regarding its social abuse potential and related growing crime figures. As a result, cocaine was classified as a narcotic and its use was restricted to specific surgical procedures and medicinal preparations.

Today, cocaine and its derivatives are still popular local anesthetics in some countries during operations of the ear, nose and throat. Cocaine blocks the initiation or conduction of the nerve impulse following local application, thereby effecting local anesthetic action. It is absorbed from all sites of application, including mucous membranes and the gastrointestinal mucosa. Cocaine is also used in a preparation given to alleviate the pain (physical and mental) of terminal diseases. However, cocaine belongs to the Schedule II class of drugs in the U.S. under the Controlled Substances Act, which means it has a high potential for abuse and limited medical usage.

Cocaine uses and side effects

The effects of cocaine depend on the strength of the dose, the blend of chemicals contained in any batch, the physiology of the person using cocaine, and their state of mind at the time of taking the drug. A cocaine rush only lasts for a short amount of time, perhaps 15–30 minutes after inhalation/injection or a few hours after insufflation (snorting). Generally, some of the immediate effects of cocaine include:

a burst of energy

accelerated heart rate

dilated pupils

feelings of euphoria, exhilaration and confidence

hallucinations

increase in body temperature and blood pressure

loss of appetite

nausea and vomiting

nervousness

restlessness

the urge to have sex

tremors

Illegal cocaine use

Cocaine is illegal to use in the U.S. and can lead to legal or judicial problems. Additionally, cocaine use is often associated with a pattern of binge use — sporadically consuming large doses of stimulants over a short period of time. Heavy users may inject themselves every few hours, continuing until they have depleted their drug supply or reached a point of delirium, psychosis, and physical exhaustion. And cocaine use has been connected to crimes such as assault, theft, fraud, and prostitution.

Problems using cocaine

People who use cocaine frequently can become addicted to it. The widespread abuse of cocaine has stimulated extensive efforts to develop treatment programs for cocaine users. As with any drug addiction, this is a complex disease that involves biological changes in the brain as well as myriad of social, familial, and other environmental problems. Therefore, treatment of cocaine addiction must be comprehensive, and strategies need to assess the neurobiological, social, and medical aspects of the patient’s drug abuse. Treatment options for cocaine dependence generally include:

Detoxification

Individual counselling

Group therapy

Presently, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat cocaine addiction. See your doctor for information and a referral, or contact an alcohol and other drug service in your area if you think you’ve developed a problem with cocaine. You do not need to suffer alone!

Cocaine use questions

Do you still have questions about cocaine or its use? Please let us know. If you want to know more, contact us in the comments section below. We will be happy to help and try to respond to all legitimate concerns personally and promptly.

I have smoked very very heavily every day for about 2-3 years now and I slowed down about a month ag...

Banner

About AddictionBlog.org

Addiction Blog is a network of writers and bloggers managed by Lee Weber. Contributors are industry leaders who are interested in the field of addiction treatment. We embrace new ideas and alternative therapies for the treatment of all types of addiction.

Our Mission

To connect families and individuals struggling with addiction to necessary and appropriate treatment options.